Systems for reversible attaching flexible substrates

ABSTRACT

A system for reversibly attaching a flexible substrate (e.g., a fabric panel) to another surface comprises one or more magnetic elements and one or more magnetically responsive elements. The magnetic elements and magnetically responsive elements are disposed on the flexible substrate and the surface so that they engage and produce a reversible attachment of the flexible substrate and the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/201,323 filed on Aug. 5, 2015, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to systems and methods for reversibly attaching flexible substrates, such as fabrics, to other surfaces or substrates.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, the invention provides a system for reversibly attaching at least a portion of a fabric panel to a substrate, the system comprising:

(a) a receiving substrate for attachment of the fabric panel, the receiving substrate comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed thereon, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and

(b) a first fabric panel having a surface, the first fabric panel comprising one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the surface of the first fabric panel and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.

In a second embodiment, the invention provides a garment comprising:

(a) a fabric panel for covering at least a portion of the torso of a wearer, the fabric panel having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first edge, and a second edge located at opposite ends of the fabric panel, the fabric panel encircling a volume when the first edge and second edge are drawn together;

(b) one or more magnetic elements disposed on the outer surface of the fabric panel adjacent to the first edge, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and

(c) one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the inner surface of the fabric panel adjacent to the second edge and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.

In a third embodiment, the invention provides a system for protecting at least a portion of a garment from environmental hazards, the system comprising:

(a) a garment having an outer surface exposed to the environment and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, the garment comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed on the inner surface of the garment, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and

(b) a fabric panel having a surface shaped to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the garment, the fabric panel comprising one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the surface thereof and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.

In a fourth embodiment, the invention provides a system for adorning a raised platform, the system comprising:

(a) a raised platform, the raised platform comprising a top, a perimeter extending around an outer edge of the raised platform, and one or more magnetic elements disposed along the perimeter of the raised platform, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and

(b) a skirt, the skirt comprising at least one fabric panel having a top edge adapted to be placed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the raised platform, the skirt further comprising one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed along the top edge and located to engage with one or more of the magnetic elements disposed along the perimeter of the raised platform, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.

In a fifth embodiment, the invention provides a system for reversibly attaching at least a portion of a fabric panel to a substrate, the system comprising:

(a) a receiving substrate for attachment of the fabric panel, the receiving substrate comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed thereon; and

(b) a first fabric panel having a surface, the first fabric panel comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed on the surface of the first fabric panel and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate,

wherein the magnetic elements comprise a binder and a magnetizable particulate material, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field, the magnetic elements on the first fabric panel have a first polarity, the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate have a second polarity, and the first polarity is opposite to the second polarity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a system according to the invention for attaching a flexible substrate to another substrate.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a shirt incorporating a system according to the invention into the closure for the shirtfront.

FIG. 3 is a view of a system for protecting the outer surface of a garment from environmental hazards.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a system for adorning a raised platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a first embodiment, the invention provides a system for attaching a flexible substrate to a receiving substrate. As depicted in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises a receiving substrate 110. The receiving substrate 110 comprises one or more magnetic elements 120 disposed thereon. The system 100 further comprises a flexible substrate 130. The flexible substrate 130 has a surface 140 that is adjacent to and in contact with the receiving substrate 110 when the flexible substrate 130 and receiving substrate 110 are attached. The flexible substrate 130 further comprises one or more magnetically responsive elements 150 disposed on the surface 140 of the flexible substrate 130. The magnetically responsive elements 150 are located on the surface 140 of the flexible substrate 130 so that they engage with and come into contact with the magnetic elements 120 on the receiving substrate 110. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the system comprises a plurality of discrete magnetic elements 120 disposed on the receiving substrate 110 and a plurality of discrete magnetically responsive elements 150 disposed on the surface 140 of the flexible substrate 130. Alternatively, the system can comprise a single, continuous magnetic element linearly extending along the edge of the receiving substrate and/or a single, continuous magnetically responsive element linearly extending along the edge of the flexible substrate 130. A single, continuous magnetic element and/or a single, continuous magnetically responsive element would facilitate attachment of the receiving substrate 110 and the flexible substrate 130 because the substrates would not need to be precisely aligned for the two elements to be attracted to each other. Alternatively, it is believed that discrete magnetic elements 120 and discrete magnetically responsive elements 150 would facilitate more precise alignment of the receiving substrate 110 and the flexible substrate 130 because only discrete portions of the two surfaces would be attracted to each other.

The receiving substrate 110 can be any suitable surface. For example, the receiving substrate can be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the receiving substrate 110 is a textile material, such as a knit fabric, woven fabric, or nonwoven textile material. Further, the receiving substrate need not be a separate material from the flexible substrate. For example, the receiving substrate can be a separate area of the flexible substrate, as is discussed below in certain garment embodiments employing the system of the invention.

The magnetic elements 120 have a persistent magnetic field. As utilized herein, the term “persistent magnetic field” refers to a magnetic field that persists for an extended period of time, such as the magnetic field of a traditional permanent magnet. As is explained in detail below, the magnetic elements 120 and the magnetically responsive elements 150 are magnetically attracted when in close proximity to each other. This magnetic attraction produces a force that draws and reversibly holds together the receiving substrate 110 and the flexible substrate 130. The magnetic elements 120 can be any suitable material that has a persistent magnetic field. For example, the magnetic elements can be permanent magnets made from materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys of such metals (e.g., BaFe₃O₄, SrFe₃O₄, AlNiCo) and alloys of rare earth metals, such as NdFeB and CoSm. The magnetic elements can be discrete permanent magnets attached to the receiving substrate by any suitable means, such as an adhesive. In those embodiments in which the receiving substrate is a textile material, the magnetic elements can be sewn directly to the receiving substrate or sewn into a pocket or pouch located on the receiving substrate.

The magnetic elements can have any suitable magnetic flux density. The magnetic flux density of the magnetic elements is one factor that will determine the strength of the attraction between the magnetic elements and the magnetically receptive elements. Therefore, the desired magnetic flux density of the magnetic elements will depend, at least in part, on the desired attractive force between the elements (and substrates attached to those elements). Preferably, the magnetic elements exhibit a magnetic flux density of about 50 gauss (G) or more (about 5 millitesla (mT) or more), about 100 G or more (about 10 mT or more), about 150 G or more (about 15 mT or more), or about 200 G or more (about 20 mT or more).

In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic elements 120 are a magnetic coating on the surface of the receiving substrate 110. The magnetic coating preferably comprises a binder and a magnetizable particulate material. The binder can be any suitable binder that will adhere to the receiving substrate and bind together the magnetizable particulate material. Suitable binders include, but are not limited to, urethane binders, acrylic binders, silicone binders, thermoplastic binders, thermoset binders, cements, rubber, and geopolymers. In those embodiments in which the receiving substrate is a flexible material (e.g., a textile material), the binder preferably remains flexible after curing. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the binder preferably is selected from the group consisting of urethane binders, acrylic binders, silicone binders, and mixtures thereof. The magnetizable particulate material can be any particulate material that can be magnetized to an extent that it exhibits a persistent magnetic field. Thus, the magnetizable particulate material can be made from iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys of such metals (e.g., BaFe₃O₄, SrFe₃O₄, AlNiCo) and alloys of rare earth metals, such as NdFeB and CoSm. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetizable particulate material is selected from the group consisting of BaFe₃O₄, SrFe₃O₄, and mixtures thereof. Once the magnetic coating is applied to the target substrate, the magnetizable particulate material can be magnetized using any known method or means.

The magnetizable particulate material can be present in the magnetic coating in any suitable amount. The amount of magnetizable particulate material present in the magnetic coating may depend upon several factors, such as the desired strength of the persistent magnetic field exhibited by the magnetic element(s) and the type of magnetizable particulate material(s) used in the magnetic coating. Generally, in order to achieve a sufficiently strong magnetic field, the magnetizable particulate material(s) generally account for an appreciable percentage of the overall magnetic coating. Preferably, the magnetizable particulate material is present in the magnetic coating in an amount of about 20 wt. % or more of the coating. In a more preferred embodiment, the magnetizable particulate material is present in the magnetic coating in an amount of about 20 wt. % to about 90 wt. % (e.g., about 30 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, about 40 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, about 50 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, or about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. %), about 30 wt. % to about 80 wt. %, about 30 wt. % to about 70 wt. %, or about 40 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of the coating.

The magnetic coating can be applied to the target substrate in any suitable amount. The amount of coating applied to the substrate will depend upon several factors, such as the magnetizability of the magnetizable particulate material, the amount of magnetizable particulate material in the coating, and the desired magnetic flux density to be exhibited by the coating. The magnetic coating preferably is present on the target substrate in an amount of about 100 g/m² or more, about 150 g/m² or more, about 170 g/m² or more, about 200 g/m² or more, about 250 g/m² or more, about 300 g/m² or more, or about 340 g/m² or more.

The flexible substrate 130 can be any suitable material. For example, it can be a flexible film or a textile material. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible substrate is a textile material. The flexible substrate can be any suitable textile material, such as a knit fabric, woven fabric, or a nonwoven textile material. The textile material can be made from any suitable fiber, filament, or combination or mixture of different fibers and/or filaments. For example, the knit or woven textile materials can be made from yarns containing natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or any suitable combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Further, the nonwoven textile materials can be made from natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or any suitable combination of natural and synthetic fibers.

As noted above, the flexible substrate 130 comprises one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the surface 140 of the flexible substrate 130. The magnetically responsive element(s) preferably comprise a coating on the surface 140 of the flexible substrate 130. The magnetically responsive coating comprises a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material. The binder in the magnetically responsive coating can be selected from any of the binders discussed above in connection with the magnetic coating used to produce the magnetic elements. Preferably, the magnetically responsive coating remains flexible after curing. Therefore, the binder preferably is selected from the group consisting of urethane binders, acrylic binders, rubber, silicone binders, and mixtures thereof. The magnetically responsive particulate material exhibits a positive magnetic susceptibility (X). Preferably, the magnetically responsive particulate material is selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the magnetically responsive particulate material is selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the magnetically responsive particulate material is selected from the group consisting of iron particles, iron oxide particles, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetically responsive particulate material comprises iron oxide particles, such as Fe₂O₃ particles and Fe₃O₄ particles. Iron oxide particles are generally preferred over iron particles because iron particles may rust in high humidity environments, and such rusting can discolor one or more components of the system.

The magnetically responsive particulate material can have any suitable particle size. Preferably, the magnetically responsive particulate material has a particle size of about 100 microns or less. More preferably, the magnetically responsive particulate material has a particle size of about 50 microns or less. The particle size of the material can affect the magnetic response exhibited by the magnetically responsive particulate material. Generally, the magnetic susceptibility of the particles increases with decreasing particle size. Thus, iron oxide particles having a particle size of 50 nm or larger are generally paramagnetic, owing to the fact that individual particles are sufficiently large to possess two or more magnetic domains. Iron oxide particles having a particle size less than 50 nm are generally superparamagnetic, owing to the fact that individual particles are sufficiently small that they possess only one magnetic domain.

The magnetically responsive particulate material can be present in the magnetically responsive coating in any suitable amount. The amount of magnetically responsive particulate material present in the magnetically responsive coating may depend upon several factors, such as the desired strength of the magnetic response and the type of magnetically responsive particulate material(s) used in the magnetically responsive coating. Generally, in order to achieve a sufficiently strong magnetic response, the magnetically responsive particulate material(s) generally account for an appreciable percentage of the overall magnetically responsive coating. Preferably, the magnetically responsive particulate material is present in the magnetically responsive coating in an amount of about 20 wt. % or more, about 30 wt. % or more, about 40 wt. % or more, about 50 wt. % or more, or about 60 wt. % or more of the coating. In another preferred embodiment, the magnetically responsive particulate material is present in the magnetically responsive coating in an amount of about 90 wt. % or less. In a more preferred embodiment, the magnetically responsive particulate material is present in the magnetically responsive coating in an amount of about 20 wt. % to about 90 wt. % (e.g., about 30 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, about 40 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, about 50 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, or about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. %), about 30 wt. % to about 80 wt. %, about 30 wt. % to about 70 wt. %, or about 40 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of the coating.

The magnetically responsive coating can be present on the target substrate in any suitable amount. The amount of the coating will depend upon the magnetic susceptibility of the magnetically responsive particulate material, the amount of magnetically response material present in the coating, and the desired strength of the magnetic response. The magnetically responsive coating preferably is present on the target substrate in an amount of about 100 g/m² or more, about 150 g/m² or more, about 170 g/m² or more, about 200 g/m² or more, about 250 g/m² or more, about 300 g/m² or more, or about 340 g/m² or more.

The magnetically responsive particulate material present in the magnetically responsive elements 150 exhibits a positive magnetic susceptibility (X). Thus, an externally applied magnetic field will induce magnetic fields in the magnetically responsive particulate material, and these induced magnetic fields are in the same direction as the externally applied magnetic field. The externally applied magnetic field therefore attracts the magnetically responsive particulate material, which attraction produces a force drawing together the magnetically responsive particulate material and the source of the externally applied magnetic field. Here, the source of the externally applied magnetic field is the magnetic elements. Therefore, the magnetic elements 120 and the magnetically responsive elements 150 are attracted to and will engage with each other when brought into close proximity. The attractive force between the elements also pulls together the receiving substrate 110 to the flexible substrate 130 because the elements are attached to these substrates. Once the elements are engaged, the magnetic attraction between the elements exerts a force that reversibly attaches the receiving substrate 110 to the flexible substrate 130.

In one potential embodiment, the system can be deployed in the form of two flexible tapes that can be used in similar fashion to hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® fasteners). In such an embodiment, one of the tapes is the receiving substrate comprising the magnetic elements, and the other tape is the flexible substrate comprising the magnetically receptive elements. When the tapes are made from a flexible textile material, the tapes can be sewn into, for example, a garment by the manufacturer to provide a closure mechanism for any opening in the garment.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a garment (e.g., a shirt of jacket) comprising the system described above. In such an embodiment, the system is used in place of or in addition to traditional closure mechanisms, such as buttons, studs, and/or zippers. Thus, the system can be used to close the cuff on the sleeves of a shirt or jacket or to close the front and/or collar of a shirt or jacket. In one particular embodiment, such as that depicted in FIG. 2, the garment 200 comprises a fabric panel 210 for covering at least a portion of the torso of a wearer (not pictured). The fabric panel 210 has an outer surface 220, an inner surface 230 opposite the outer surface, a first edge 240, and a second edge 250 located at opposite ends of the fabric panel 210. The fabric panel 210 encircles a volume when the first edge 240 and second edge 250 are drawn together, the volume being the space occupied by the wearer's torso when the garment is being worn. The garment 200 further comprises one or more magnetic elements 120 disposed on the outer surface 220 of the fabric panel 210 adjacent to the first edge 240. The shirt 200 also comprises one or more magnetically responsive elements 150 disposed on the inner surface 230 of the fabric panel 210 adjacent to the second edge 250. As described above, the magnetic elements 240 and magnetically receptive elements 250 are attracted to each other and will engage to provide a reversible closure of the fabric panel 210 of the garment 200.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for protecting at least a portion of a garment from environmental hazards, such as chemical splashes and spills. Such a system is depicted in FIG. 3 and essentially employs an detachable apron to protect the outer surface of a garment, such as a lab coat. In particular, the system 300 depicted in FIG. 3 comprises a garment 310 (e.g., a lab coat) having an outer surface 320 and an inner surface (not pictured). The garment comprising one or more magnetic elements 120 disposed on the inner surface of the garment 310. Alternatively, the magnetic elements can be disposed on the outer surface of the garment. The system 300 also comprises a fabric panel 330 (e.g., an apron) having a surface 340 shaped to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the garment 310. The fabric panel 330 comprises one or more magnetically responsive elements 150 disposed on the surface 340 of the fabric panel 330. The magnetically responsive elements 150 are located on the surface 340 of the fabric panel 330 so that they engage with the magnetic elements 120 on the garment 310. In FIG. 3, the fabric panel 330 is shown in reverse in order to better illustrate the positioning of the magnetically receptive elements 150. In an alternative embodiment, the magnetic elements can be disposed on the fabric panel and the magnetically receptive elements can be disposed on the garment (on either the inner surface or the outer surface of the garment). In another embodiment of such a system, the garment can be a pair of pants and the fabric panel can be an apron or a pair of chaps that protect at least a portion of the outer surface of the pants. In such an embodiment, the magnetic elements can be disposed along the waist of the pants and/or along the legs of the pants with the magnetically receptive elements disposed at positions along the apron or chaps sufficient to secure the same to the pants.

In addition to the specific embodiments described above, the system can be employed in various other garment or outerwear applications. For example, the system can provide the closure for the opening of a blouse, the closure for the fly of a pair of pants or shorts, the closure for a slit in a skirt, the closure for a brassiere, the closure for a diaper, the closure of a bib or apron, the closure or fastener for a belt, or the closure for the side openings in the legs of a pair of tear-away pants (such as those worn by basketball players and track athletes). The system can also be used to attach decorative elements, identifying elements, or insignia, such as badges, to garments or outerwear (such as sports uniforms). The system can also be employed in non-garment applications, such as the closure for a duvet cover.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for adorning a raised platform, such as a table or a stage. For example, the system can provide a table skirt for adorning a table in such a manner as to hide from view the legs supporting the tabletop. The system can also provide a skirt for adorning a stage in such a manner as to hide from view the supports underneath the stage. As depicted in FIG. 4, the system 400 comprises a raised platform 410 comprising a top 420 and a perimeter 430 extending around an outer edge of the top 420 of the raised platform 410. The raised platform 410 can also comprise one or more supports 415 for raising the platform relative to the underlying surface. The raised platform 410 further comprises one or more magnetic elements 120 disposed along the perimeter 430 of the raised platform 410. The system 400 further comprises a skirt 450 comprising at least one fabric panel 460 having a top edge 470. The top edge 470 is adapted to be placed along at least a portion of the perimeter 430 of the top 420 of the raised platform 410. The skirt 450 further comprises one or more magnetically responsive elements 150 disposed along the top edge 470 of the fabric panel 460. The magnetically responsive element(s) 150 is position to engage with one or more of the magnetic elements 120 disposed along the perimeter 430 of the top 420 of the raised platform 410. When the magnetic elements and magnetically responsive elements are engaged, the magnetic attraction between the two generates a force that holds or reversibly adheres the skirt to the raised platform. While the system shown in FIG. 4 is depicted with the magnetic elements 120 disposed on the raised platform 410 and the magnetically receptive elements 150 on the skirt 450, the magnetic elements could be located on the skirt and the magnetically receptive elements located on the raised platform. Also, the magnetic elements and magnetically receptive elements can be discrete elements or, as depicted in FIG. 4, continuous elements extending along the entire perimeter of the raised platform and along the entire top edge of the skirt.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides another system for reversibly attaching at least a portion of a fabric panel to a substrate. In this embodiment, the system comprises a receiving substrate for attachment of the fabric panel and a first fabric panel. The receiving substrate comprises one or more magnetic elements disposed thereon. The receiving substrate can be any of the receiving substrates described above in connection with the first embodiment of the invention. The system further comprises a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate has a surface that is adjacent to and in contact with the receiving substrate when the flexible substrate and receiving substrate are attached. The flexible substrate further comprises one or more magnetic elements disposed on the surface of the flexible substrate. The magnetic elements are located on the surface of the flexible substrate so that they engage with and come into contact with the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate. Further, the magnetic elements located on the surface of the flexible substrate have a polarity that is the opposite of the polarity of the opposing magnetic elements on the receiving substrate. This opposition of polarity ensures that the magnetic elements are attracted to each other and will provide a reversible attachment of the fabric panel and the receiving substrate. As with the first system described in this application, the system can comprise a plurality of discrete magnetic elements disposed on the receiving substrate and a plurality of discrete magnetic elements disposed on the surface of the flexible substrate. Alternatively, the system can comprise a single, continuous magnetic element linearly extending along the edge of the receiving substrate and/or a single, continuous magnetic element linearly extending along the edge of the flexible substrate. A single, continuous magnetic element would facilitate attachment of the receiving substrate and the flexible substrate because the substrates would not need to be precisely aligned for the two elements to be attracted to each other. Alternatively, it is believed that discrete magnetic elements would facilitate more precise alignment of the receiving substrate and the flexible substrate because only discrete portions of the two surfaces would be attracted to each other.

In this embodiment, the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate and the magnetic elements on the first fabric panel can be any of the magnetic elements described above in connection with the first embodiment of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic elements are a magnetic coating on the surface of the receiving substrate and the first fabric panel, as described above. Such magnetic coatings can comprise any suitable combination of magnetizable particle and binder described above.

In certain embodiments described above, the magnetic elements and/or the magnetically receptive elements are a coating on a surface of the receiving substrate or a fabric panel. As will be apparent from the description of the magnetizable particles and magnetically responsive particles set forth above, these coatings will typically be dark in color, especially when relatively high loadings of magnetizable particles or magnetically responsive particles are present in the coating. While a dark-colored coating may not be problematic for certain applications, such as on dark colored surfaces or surfaces that are not visible to users, there may be some instances in which a dark coating is not be desirable. For example, a dark coating on a light-colored fabric may detract from the overall visual aesthetic of the fabric or a garment containing the fabric. Thus, in certain embodiments, an additional coating is disposed on top of the magnetic coating or magnetically receptive coating. Such coating can comprise any of the binders disclosed above for the magnetic coating or magnetically receptive coating. In addition to the binder, the coating further comprises a particulate material that masks the color of the underlying magnetic coating or magnetically receptive coating. One suitable class of such particles is pigments, such as titanium dioxide. When pigments are used, the pigment(s) can be selected to produce a coating having a color that matches or at least complements the color of the substrate to which it is applied.

The following examples further illustrate the subject matter described above but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting the scope thereof.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the subject matter of this application (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the subject matter of the application and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the subject matter unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the subject matter described herein.

Preferred embodiments of the subject matter of this application are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the subject matter described herein to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for reversibly attaching at least a portion of a fabric panel to a substrate, the system comprising: (a) a receiving substrate for attachment of the fabric panel, the receiving substrate comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed thereon, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and (b) a first fabric panel having a surface, the first fabric panel comprising one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the surface of the first fabric panel and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic elements are a magnetic coating on the surface of the receiving substrate, and the magnetic coating comprises a binder and a magnetizable particulate material.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the magnetizable particulate material is selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys of such metals, alloys of rare earth metals, and mixtures thereof.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the magnetizable particulate material is present in the magnetic coating in an amount of about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. % based on the weight of the coating.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetically responsive particulate material is selected from the group consisting of iron particles, iron oxide particles, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetizable responsive material is present in the magnetically responsive elements in an amount of about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. % based on the weight of the magnetically responsive element.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fabric panel comprises a coating disposed on top of the magnetically responsive elements, the coating comprising a binder and a pigment.
 8. A system for reversibly attaching at least a portion of a fabric panel to a substrate, the system comprising: (a) a receiving substrate for attachment of the fabric panel, the receiving substrate comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed thereon; and (b) a first fabric panel having a surface, the first fabric panel comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed on the surface of the first fabric panel and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate, wherein the magnetic elements comprise a binder and a magnetizable particulate material, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field, the magnetic elements on the first fabric panel have a first polarity, the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate have a second polarity, and the first polarity is opposite to the second polarity.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the magnetizable particulate material is selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys of such metals, alloys of rare earth metals, and mixtures thereof.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the magnetizable particulate material is present in the magnetic elements in an amount of about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. % based on the weight of the element.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first fabric panel comprises a coating disposed on top of the magnetic element, the coating comprising a binder and a pigment.
 12. A shirt comprising: (a) a fabric panel for covering at least a portion of the torso of a wearer, the fabric panel having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first edge, and a second edge located at opposite ends of the fabric panel, the first edge and second edge encircling a volume when drawn together; (b) one or more magnetic elements disposed on the outer surface of the fabric panel adjacent to the first edge, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and (c) one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the inner surface of the fabric panel adjacent to the second edge and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.
 13. A system for protecting at least a portion of a garment from environmental hazards, the system comprising: (a) a garment having an outer surface exposed to the environment and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, the garment comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed on the inner surface of the garment, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and (b) a fabric panel having a surface shaped to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the garment, the fabric panel comprising one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the surface thereof and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.
 14. A system for adorning a raised platform, the system comprising: (a) a raised platform, the raised platform comprising a top, a perimeter extending around an outer edge of the raised platform, and one or more magnetic elements disposed along the perimeter of the raised platform, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and (b) a skirt, the skirt comprising at least one fabric panel having a top edge adapted to be placed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the raised platform, the skirt further comprising one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed along the top edge and located to engage with one or more of the magnetic elements disposed along the perimeter of the raised platform, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof. 